'Madoc' does not bear marks of the
same hand as 'Roderick;' it has the same character of
language, thought, and feeling; it is of the same ore
and mint; and if the one poem be bad, the other cannot
possibly be otherwise. The irritation of the _nettling_
(as you term it), which he has already received [a
portion of the letter is torn off and lost]....
Whatever part he may take, my conduct towards him will
be the same. I consider him a public nuisance, and
shall deal with him accordingly.

"Nettling is a gentle term for what he has to undergo.
In due season he shall be _scorpioned_ and
_rattlesnaked_. When I take him in hand it shall be to
dissect him alive, and make a preparation of him to be
exhibited _in terrorem_, an example to all future
pretenders to criticism. He has a forehead of native
brass, and I will write upon it with aqua-fortis. I
will serve him up to the public like a turkey's
gizzard, sliced, scored, peppered, salted, cayanned,
grilled, and bedevilled. I will bring him to justice;
he shall be executed in prose, and gibbeted in
verse....[34]

.... "'Roderick' has made good speed in the world, and
ere long I shall send you the poem in a more commodious
shape,[35] for Ballantyne is at this time reprinting
it. I finished my official ode a few days ago. It is
without rhyme, and as unlike other official odes in
matter as in form; for its object is to recommend, as
the two great objects of policy, general education and
extensive colonization. At present, I am chiefly
occupied upon 'The History of Brazil,' which is in the
press--a work of great labour.

"The ladies here all desire to be kindly remembered to
you. I have ordered 'The Pilgrims of the Sun,' and we
look for it with expectation, which, I am sure, will
not be disappointed. God bless you.--Yours very truly,

"Robert Southey."

A review of "Roderick" appeared in the _Edinburgh Review_ for June 1815,
which on the whole was favourable, so that the wrath of the Laureate was
appeased.

During the earlier period of his Edinburgh career, Hogg had formed the
acquaintance of an estimable family in Athol, Mr and Mrs Izett, of
Kinnaird House, and he had been in the habit of spending a portion of
his time every summer at their hospitable residence. In the summer of
1814, w